Does Wearing a Mask Prevent the Flu?

Written by Colleen Story
| Published on October 19, 2012Medically Reviewed by George Krucik, MD

For many years, scientists weren't sure if wearing a mask was effective at preventing the spread of viruses. However, recent studies suggest that they can help.

When the Unites States
experienced an outbreak of swine flu in 2009, everyone was talking about how to
reduce the spread of the infection. According to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccinations were limited that year because the
virus wasn't identified until manufacturers had already started producing the
annual vaccine (CDC,
2009).

Health organizations reminded
people of the importance of regular handwashing with warm water and soap. People
who developed the flu were advised to stay home to recover and avoid spreading the
virus to others. Then, some people started doing something most of us hadn't
seen before: wearing surgical masks.

Does wearing a facemask help you
avoid the flu virus? If so, are some masks better than others?

Studies Show Masks Do Help

For many years, scientists
weren't sure if wearing a mask was effective at preventing the spread of
viruses. However, recent studies suggest that they can help.

A 2008 study published in the International Journal of Infectious Disease
concluded that when used correctly, masks are highly effective in preventing
the spread of infections. Family members of children with flu-like illnesses
who used the masks properly were 80 percent less likely to be diagnosed with the
illness. The difference between types of masks used was insignificant (MacIntyre,
2008).

Another study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reported
similar results. Researchers looked at 400 people who had the flu. They found
that family members cut their risk of getting the flu by 70 percent when they washed
their hands often and wore surgical masks (Benjamin J. Cowling, 2009).

A team of researchers from the
University of Michigan recruited more than 1,000 students from residence halls.
They assigned the student to groups: those who wore masks, those who wore masks
and practiced hand hygiene, and those who did neither. The results showed that
those who wore masks in residence halls and practiced good handwashing reduced
their risk of flu-like illness by 75 percent. However, the study found no
reduction in symptoms for mask use alone. This finding suggests that the use of
masks should always be paired with regular handwashing (Allison E. Aiello, et al., 2011).

Different Types of Masks

If you are considering wearing a mask
to protect against infections, there are two types you should know about.

Facemasks

These are fairly loose-fitting, disposable
masks approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as
medical devices. Doctors, dentists, and nurses often wear them while at work.

They prevent large droplets of bodily
fluids that may contain viruses from escaping the nose and mouth. They also
protect the wearer against splashes and sprays from others, such as those from
sneezes and coughs. However, they do not prevent the inhalation of small,
airborne contaminants.

Respirators

These are certified by the CDC
and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Respirators,
also called N95 respirator masks, are
designed to protect the wearer from small particles in the air that may contain
viruses. The name comes from the fact that they can filter 95 percent of
airborne particles (CDC,
2012). These N95 masks are also often used when painting or handling
potentially toxic materials.

Respirators are selected to fit
the wearer's face. They must form a proper seal so that no gaps allow airborne
viruses in. Healthcare workers use them to protect against airborne infectious
diseases such as tuberculosis and anthrax, because they protect against both
large and small particles.

In general, respirators are
considered more effective at preventing the flu virus than regular facemasks.
However, studies have found both to be helpful.

Guidelines for Wearing
Facemasks

In 2010, the CDC revised its healthcare
setting guidelines for flu prevention to include facemasks and respirators.
They recommend that healthcare workers wear facemasks when working with
patients who have the flu. They also suggest offering facemasks to patients
showing signs of respiratory infections. Respirators, however, are reserved for
healthcare workers to wear during medical procedures (CDC,
2010).

Facemasks can help reduce the
spread of the flu—but only if when worn correctly and frequently. For example,
several patients were excluded from the results of the 2008 study because they
didn't wear their masks properly or when they should have (MacIntyre,
2008).

Here are some guidelines for proper
mask-wearing:

Wear a facemask when coming within six
feet of a sick person.

Position the strings to keep the mask
firmly in place over the nose, mouth, and chin. Try not to touch the mask again
until you remove it.

Wear a facemask before going near other
people if you have the flu.

If you have the flu and need to see the
doctor, wear a facemask to protect others in the waiting room.

Consider wearing a mask in crowded
settings if the flu is widespread in your community or if you are at high risk for
flu complications.

When you're done wearing the mask, throw
it away and wash your hands. Do not wear a facemask more than once.

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